TAOIST TEMPLE
The Taoist Temple is located in the high-end Beverly Hills subdivision in Cebu City. The temple was built by the Chinese community of Cebu. The
towering, multicolored tourist attraction has an elevation of 300 meters above sea level and is accessible by three separate winding routes.
The Taoist Temple is open to worshipers and non-worshipers. Built in 1972, the temple is the center of worship for Taoism, which follows the
teachings of Lao Tze, an ancient Chinese philosopher. It is a ritual for the devotees to pray to the gods for their wishes to be granted. The ritual also
includes the washing of hands, entering the chapel barefoot and dropping two blocks of wood. If both blocks of wood fall face up, then the wish will
be granted. If not, then perhaps the time has not come yet for the wish to be granted, and one has to come back to the temple at another time.
Another ritual among the devotees, done during Wednesdays and Sundays, is the climbing of its 99 steps to light joss sticks and have
their fortune read by the monks. Reaching the top would also reward you a marvelous view of Cebu City and the islands of Mactan and Bohol in the distance. The temple includes a replica of the Great Wall of China at the entrance, chapel, a library, a souvenir shop,
spacious balconies, and a wishing well. Also remarkable is the giant dragon statue.
he temple is constructed in a highly ornate style of Chinese architecture and is topped with a pagoda-style roof. Present in Taoist
architecture are structures according to their functions, categorized as palace for oblation and sacrifice, altar for praying and offering, cubby for religious service, and garden for visitors.
The Taoist Temple is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city. Travel agencies usually include trips to the Taoist Temple in their tour packages. It also gets frequent visits from students for their field trips.The Taoist Temple is a beautiful place to meditate and relax. One can definitely do some soul-searching in its sprawling gardens and astonishing view with the benefit of fresh air. Discover and appreciate a taste of Chinese culture in the
Taoist Temple, and open yourself up to a brilliant, whole new experience.
A view of the Taoist Temple. This is a Chinese temple located on one of the mountaintops of Cebu City.